Toronto 
Winter Stations Presents Loop
Here is the “to do” list of activities in Toronto and GTA this winter including winter activities, festivals, exhibitions, sports and related activities, concerts and live theatre.
I. Outdoor Winter Activities
- Lace up and hit an outdoor ice rink: Toronto and GTA has some great skating trails. Can you brave the polar bear skateat the Bentway?
You may like:
- Experience Terra Lumina – An Enchanted Night Walkat Toronto Zoo. Enjoy an immersive experience along a 1.5 km walking path that travels into the future and back. Terra Lumina is the eleventh unique experience created in Moment Factory’s Lumina night walk series.
- Discover Toronto’s National Park this winter. Join in on a guided walk to discover nature and winter wildlife with Parks Canada.
- Visit Tommy Thompson Park to learn about what Toronto’s urban wildlife is up to this time of year during Family Nature Walk. Visit your nearest conservation area for a walk in the woods or to spot winter wildlife.
- When there is snow on the ground, dig out your magic carpet, flying saucer or the old-school wooden toboggan and hit the tobogganing hill near by and enjoy a ride down.
- Want a bit more excitement? Go snow tubing!
- If skiing and snowboardingis your thing, there are eleven ski areas in GTA and two within Toronto city limits.
- Explore the winter landscape of neighbouring Parks and Conservation Areas through snow shoeing. Halton Hills Conservation has guided snowshoe hikes for family and moonlight snowshoe events.
- Hit the trails for cross-country skiing — a great way to stay active this winter while enjoying the outdoors. Albion Hills Conservation Area of Caledon provides 26 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails suited to beginner, intermediate and expert level skiers. Halton Conservation areas of Crawford Lake (Milton), Hilton Falls, Mountsberg offers cross-country ski trails through woods and fields.
- If you want to burn all that fat accumulated during the holidays, try Fat biking! Get out for a guided ride every Sunday with the experts at Evergreen Brick Works and explore Don Valley trails. Fat Biking is also allowed at Black Trail at Albion Hills Conservation Area. Rentals are available at both places.
- Go on a day trip to see frozen waterfalls near Toronto.
II. Festivals During Winter 2019-20
There’s so much going on in Toronto every weekend and winter season is no exception!
Just in time for the festive season, the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is transforming the Ontario Place West Island into a spectacular celebration of light and adventure as the 2019 ... Read More
During WinterFest, the park will be transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland complete with uniquely themed areas, dozens of Christmas trees, millions of spectacular lights, ice-skating, live entertainment, savoury treats, ... Read More
Come celebrate the return to warmth and light in the heart of Kensington Market over the Winter Solstice. Support our local merchants and unique culture of Toronto's beloved neighbourhood over ... Read More
INK Events & Live Nation Ontario present: Solaris Festival 2019 Toronto’s largest winter music festival takes place on December 26 & 27, 2019 inside REBEL. The fifth annual Solaris Music ... Read More
After a completely sold out inaugural festival, DisasterFEST is back! Audiences are subjected to a 6 hour marathon of Toronto’s alternative comedy, taking place at Bad Dog Theatre on December ... Read More
This festival features 21 unique concerts spanning multiple genres and forms - the common thread will be the grand piano that has been provided by Yamaha Canada Music LTD. Line-up: ... Read More
Join us for the Annual TORONTO TANGO MARATHON on the second weekend in January for an amazing weekend of Argentine Tango in Toronto, with beautiful music, great venue, lots of ... Read More
The 2020 New Music Festival features Brazilian pianist, composer and arranger André Mehmari. A stellar list of guest artists includes Emmanuele Baldini, Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa and the Penderecki String Quartet ... Read More
The Toronto Light Festival, the City’s first-ever light art festival, is returning for the another year to the Distillery Historic District! Visitors will be taken on a new visual journey ... Read More
This year's Winter Fest will feature even more excitement for fans of all ages, with select player, prospect, and alumni appearances, Sportsnet personalities, Jr. Jays activations, live entertainment, historic memorabilia, ... Read More
Rediscover the joys of the winter season and great Canadian outdoors with friends and family at the historic Alton Mill Arts Centre in rural Caledon. Pond hockey, food & drink, ... Read More
Celebrate the architects, artists and designers who have shaped our world at Toronto’s newest film festival. Beyond our curated films, hear distinguished experts, filmmakers and panel discussions. Enjoy Q&A sessions ... Read More
Come join us at our 1st CHINESE New Year Marketplace, we will showcase traditional merchandise for preparing Lunar New Year Celebrations, we will have wishing free for making well-wishes for ... Read More
The Annual Burlington Winter Beer Festival is the culmination of the Festival of Beer, an exciting celebration of beer and beer food pairing in partnership with local restaurants and progressive ... Read More
Totally unique and completely captivating, DanceWeekend is a veritable feast of globally inspired dance from 25 professional companies presenting in Toronto throughout the year. A platform for over 350 dancers and ... Read More
Progress is an international festival of performance and ideas presented in partnership by SummerWorks Performance Festival and The Theatre Centre. The Festival is collectively curated and produced by a series ... Read More
The annual Toronto Human Rights Watch Film Festival brings human stories to life in a manner that empowers the audience to demand justice for all. By using film as a ... Read More
Starting this January, Toronto's winter experience takes centre stage with the introduction of Toronto Spotlight, highlighting the city's celebrated and vibrant arts and culture scene, vast selection of culinary experiences, ... Read More
The Toronto Tea Festival has gathered world-renowned tea sommeliers, published authors, historical fashion experts, musicians and vendors who are keen to steep the enquiring, novice and aficionado in tea lore ... Read More
Toronto's winter culinary celebration offers the perfect opportunity to discover delicious cuisine at more than 220 restaurants and experience unique culinary events. Produced by the City of Toronto. The Licious ... Read More
Craft Beer, Food Trucks and Campfires. Don your stompin' boots, pull on a toque and wear your puffiest parka because it's time to hoist a pint or two with the ... Read More
52nd Richmond Hill Winter Carnival - The Richmond Hill Winter Carnival is a weekend of affordable fun and entertainment organized by volunteers to celebrate the community of Richmond Hill in ... Read More
LunarFest invites Markham’s diverse community to celebrate the Lunar New Year like no other! What fortunes await you in the Year of the Rat? With fun games, activities, and crafts, ... Read More
This free, fun-filled, winter carnival offers first-class entertainment, indoor & outdoor activities, meet & greets, a free pancake breakfast, outdoor firepits, arts & crafts, a photo booth, face painting, horse-drawn ... Read More
Each restaurant will presented one delicious signature food and bonded with their special offers. One Dish, One Story. More than 100 Asian restaurants and daily tasting events, there’s so much ... Read More
North America’s largest Mac and Cheese Festival returns and is coming in hot to bring you a massive Valentine’s weekend festival from February 14-16, 2020. In just one month, the ... Read More
Get in from the cold and toast your body and mind to the warm glow of animated stories. Everything is possible with animation! Toronto Animation Arts Festival International, or TAAFI, ... Read More
Join us for the 5th Annual GeekFest Toronto - A 1-day Marathon of Films, Docs and Talks on things Geeks Love. And, maybe, just maybe, a chance to meet (and ... Read More
Revel in the complexity of youth on screen and banish the old world of cookie-cutter portrayals to cinema’s past, as TIFF helps herald in a new era of storytelling for ... Read More
The 5th annual Kidapalooza Family Festival takes place Family Day Long Weekend FEBRUARY 15-17, 2020 at the Markham Fairgrounds in over 50,000 sq ft of INDOOR space with some outdoor ... Read More
KidsfestTO is in its 11th year and we are proud to be the largest providers of inflatables, rides and bouncers. This indoor event caters to children 12 and under and ... Read More
Pendance is an independent film festival supported by a bevy of great sponsors and key artists in the Canadian film community. The third edition of Pendance will consist of feature ... Read More
Running from February 21 to March 6, the Dine Out DTM Festival is a celebration of food and drink in Downtown Markham, featuring exclusive prix fixe menus at an array ... Read More
Winterfolk is an all-ages, mid-winter, weatherproof event, where you’ll find the best of urban, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk and roots music, emulating a multi-stage rural summer festival. More than ... Read More
Now in it’s 10th year, the Toronto Irish Film Festival celebrates the very best of Irish cinema and promotes the work of Irish filmmakers to the Greater Toronto Irish community ... Read More
Attention all Witches and Wizards, You are formally invited to the most magical beer festival of the year! Sunday, March 1st, 2020, let us transport you into a mysterious and ... Read More
CRAFT Beer Market Presents Brewchella Beer + Beverage Festival: a sampling event of sips and bites. About this Event Featuring local breweries & brews, menu favorites, spirits, wine, cocktails, live ... Read More
TOsketchfest will welcome over 80 sketch comedy acts from cities across North America and beyond March 4-15, 2020. The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival is Canada's premier festival celebrating scripted, ensemble ... Read More
The Women From Space Festival features music and dance performances in celebration of International Women’s Day weekend (March 5-8, 2020). This festival will feature four days of performances by visionary ... Read More
From March 6 – 11, our annual festival of culture and ideas returns with an expanded weeklong program of inspiring conversations with internationally renowned thinkers, tastemakers and bestselling authors ... Read More
Join us for the 5th Toronto Feminist Art Festival, presented by FAC, hosted by OCAD U. The 2020 Feminist Art Fest creates a space that is celebratory, empowering, intellectually engaging, ... Read More
Celebrate Toronto, the 2-day festival honouring Toronto's 186th Anniversary, will be held at Nathan Phillips Square. [The Festival] Come by our market, shop from local vendors, feast upon the diverse ... Read More
Storytelling Toronto presents the 42nd annual Toronto Storytelling Festival! This is one of the world’s largest and oldest urban storytelling celebrations, and has been a major force in the international ... Read More
New Ideas Festival is an annual three-week juried festival of new writing, works-in-progress and experimental theatre, with a different program of plays each week and staged readings on Saturdays at ... Read More
Trigan Nowruz Festival Proudly presents a selection of the best in show from the Persian arts and culture scene. Join us in celebrating Nowruz, the Persian/Iranian New Year, with a ... Read More
March Break begins with a family friendly indoor festival filled with inflatables, rides, games, crafts as well as live entertainment, delicious food & drinks. Interactive activities & playgrounds are sure ... Read More
Toronto’s very own cabane à sucre is returning to downtown Toronto Waterfront with one epic weekend fuelled by maple syrup! Warm up with a glass of hot mulled cider, enjoy ... Read More
Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Parade, which had been scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2020, is cancelled. The parade organizers decided to cancel the festivities in light of public health concerns, and ... Read More
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour brings Banff to audiences around the globe. Immediately after the Festival ends in November, a selection of the best films go on ... Read More
III. Indoor Activities
Are you the one that countdowns to summer every time the first sign of winter hits Toronto? Then, here is a list of indoor attractions and indoor amusement parks in Toronto to keep those winter blues away till the barbecue season is back!
IV. Art/Science Exhibitions & Expos
Credit: Winter Stations
- Winter Stations:Enjoy temporary public art installations to The Beaches, exhibited to celebrate Toronto’s winter waterfront landscape.
- Enjoy LOOP, an art installation than an interactive retro-futureistic machine powered by you. Visitors can hop on two at a time into one of the six illuminated cylinders and pump a lever to activate the lights and glowing images.
- Abracadabra! Illusions: The Art of Magic opens at the AGO on Feb. 22, 2020, showcasing rare posters and artifacts from the Golden Age of Magic of over 100 years ago. Illusions: The Art of Magic transports you back in time to the Golden Age of Magic when death-defying tricks, daring escapes and colourful personas turned performers like The Incomparable Albini and Harry Houdini into world-famous celebrities.
- Join at the Steam Whistle Brewery for Dispatches. Consisting of media from the collection of the Toronto Railway Museum, Dispatches shares messages from the rails. Transmitted through a variety of media such as vintage signage, posters, photos, and more, many of the pieces are from the museum’s archive and have never been publicly displayed.
- Explore, amd discover 4-day site-specific, immersive installations at the historic 130-year-old Gladstone Hotel. ‘Come Up To My Room’ invites artists and designers to create a 4-day site-specific, immersive installations that stimulate the imagination and encourage discussion and dialogue between contributors and visitors alike.
- Experience the timeless and universal appeal of one of the most adored fictional characters of all time – Winnie-the-Pooh–– in this immersive and playful exhibition at Royal Ontario Museum.
- Dream Machines: The Magical Machines of Rowland Emett: Enter a world of engineered fantasies from the mind of a cartoonist who decided to bring his imagined world to life. Marvel at the spinning, blinking and tinkling unlikely creations like the hot-air rocking chair, lullaby machine, and humbug major sweet machine (made famous in the classic movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).
- Step into MindWorks, a new exhibition at the Ontario Science Centre, and experience the inner workings of your mind. Rooted in psychology, MindWorks brings mental processes like decision-making, memory and emotions to life through colourful, playful and fun hands-on exhibits.
- Explore the compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts at the Interior Design Show Toronto.
- Explore, CodeX: playable & disruptive futurist eArt, an exhibition of leading-edge digital art, or eArt, investigates the future of human society through technology, innovation and design.
- Explore all things automotive boasting more than 1,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, concept cars, exotics, classics, muscle cars, fully electric and autonomous vehicles at the Canadian International AutoShowfrom February 14 to 23 at the MTCC.
- See the original works from over 250 carefully juried, independent contemporary artists at The Artist Projectat Better Living Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto from from February 20 to 23, 2020.
- Meet your favourite superhero at Toronto ComicConfrom March 20 to 22, 2020 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
IV. Live Concerts During Winter
See Singin’ in the Rain coming to life with live orchestral accompaniment of Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Post Malone’s Runaway Tour, for KING & COUNTRY and more this winter.
10 Upcoming Concerts
Upcoming concert Tours in Toronto
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V. Performing Arts & Theatre During Winter
Credit: Hamilton
See the stunning adaptation of Romeo and Juliet by National Ballet, multi-award winning playwright, Marjorie Chan’s Lady Sunrise at Factory Theatre, Canadian Opera Company’s Hansel & Gretel, and Canadian Premiere of Hamilton at Ed Mirvish Theatre and more this winter.
10 Upcoming Live Theatre Shows
Performing Arts in Toronto & GTA
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VI. Spectator Sports
Cheer Toronto’s sports teams.
Ice Hockey: Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies, Mississauga Steelheads
Lacrosse:Toronto Rock
Runs & Walks
- Resolution Run® and Walk: Start the New Year off on the right foot by establishing or maintaining an active lifestyle: December 30 to January 1, 2020 @ Various locations
- New Balance Chilly Half Marathon, CIBC Private Wealth Management Frosty 5K, and Frigid 10K: Sunday, March 1, 2020 | 10:05 AM @ Burlington
10 Upcoming Games
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Thank you! Corrected!